IRI Official: Manufacturing IranSat, one of Iran's greatest requests from Russia

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, June 9, IRNA -- Head of Aerospace Organization of Iran said here Wednesday in a meeting with Russia’s Telecom Minister manufacturing IranSat satellite is one of Iran’s greatest requests from Russia.

Hamid Fazeli made the comment in a meeting with Igor Shchegolev held at the headquarters of the Aerospace Organization of Iran.

Fazeli referred to the signed cooperation protocol between the two countries’ aerospace organizations two years ago adding, “The most important article in that protocol is manufacturing the IranSat satellite.”

He said that a joint workgroup has been established for the purpose which has meetings once every six months, and that group has had two meetings so far.

The Iranian official said, “In the framework of that cooperation we have had some success, but we are interested in speeding up the implementation of the entire articles of that protocol in practice.”

The head of Iran’s aerospace organization reiterated, “Iran has three registered positions in the space for positioning its satellites according to the International Telecommunications Organization, but unfortunately due to the unjustly imposed sanctions we have still not been able of positioning our satellites at those positions.”

Fazeli added, “Of course we already have one functioning satellite at one of those positions, but since we are not using the other two, we are faced with the threat of losing them, and we hope to place the IranSat at one of them, getting assistance from our friendly neighbor, Russia.”

The Russian Telecommunications Minister, too, said, “Satellite communications comprise a major part of Russia’s economy and these communications are separate from the Telecom Ministry, and under the supervision and control of the Russian Aerospace Agency.”

Igor Shchegolev added, “Yet, the Telecommunications Ministry is the major client and the ordering party of the entire satellites and satellite telecommunications.”

He said that Russia is launching four new satellites to space by the end of this summer.

The Russian official at the end stressed his country’s advanced and active research works on space technology, pointing out that Russia can assist Iran in manufacturing its small satellites, adding, “The research center of our organization has a hoard of valuable experience in this field, which would share with you if you wish so in the course of those satellites’ production.”
He added, “Russia is also ready for cooperation with Iran in such fields as satellite TV stations and the Internet.”